This Collection of his Writings and Photographs is a Memorial to the Life and Work of Murdoch MacKenzie

KIRKSPIRE JULY 2006

THE RIBER MEMORIAL DAY CARE CENTRE 2

THE OFFICIAL OPENING

Murdoch MacKenzie

The April 1973 Kirkspire reported that the Day Care Centre had begun. ‘We are no longer just talking about the children who live in the huts along the compound wall. Every Monday to Friday from 9 am till 4 pm they are being cared for by our teacher, Mrs White and our Ayah, Mrs Jesudasan. Various gifts of toys and money have been received. CASA are going to provide food and some funds towards non-recurring expenditure. PLEASE COME any day and see the centre at work. PERHAPS YOU COULD HELP. The official opening will take place soon.’ In May 1973 the Kirkspire reported: ‘The Day Care Centre was officially inaugurated by Mrs Mary Clubwala Jadhav after the morning service on Sunday 29th April. At the same time Mrs MacKenzie opened the Children’s Playground which Mrs Jadhav has donated in memory of her late husband Major Chandrakant Jadhav. It was a great joy for us to have Mrs Jadhav and so many other friends of the Kirk with us for the occasion.’ ‘The Centre has, of course, been running for several weeks. 22 children are enrolled and 19 of them, who are between the ages of 5 and 7, are being prepared for admission to the local pre-Corporation school in Egmore. They will go there in June at which time they will each be provided with two sets of uniforms stitched by the ladies of the congregation. After they are admitted in school a fresh batch will be taken on in the Day Care Centre.’ ‘The Centre works five days a week from 9am to 4pm. There are one teacher, one ayah and several voluntary helpers. All the children have been medically examined and suitable follow-up is being done. There is also a nutrition programme which will be expanded up to 50 children now that we have received food from CASA. The best way to find out about the Day Care Centre is to come and see it for yourself. You might even like to help?’ Next month we will read about Rev Harold Riber after whom the Day Care Centre was named. Murdoch MacKenzie